Sectional floor frame construction



1967 R. c. ROLLAND 3398,15

SECTIONAL FLOOR FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 25, 1964 2 Sheets-$heet lJan. 17, 1967 R. c. ROLLAND SECTIONAL FLOOR FRAME CONSTRUCTION 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1964 3,298,153 r Patented Ja on, 1967United State t Q 1 3,298,153' SECTIONAL FLOOR FRAME CONSTRUCTION RobertC.- Rolland, 7Place. Stanislas, Cannes, France FiledFeb. 25,1964, Ser.No..347,2 9.4 rity, application ,G/rgegat Britain, Mar. 4, 1963,

.Ct m' r spams-isle H) I and. transport; to provide improvedcruciformjoining members for interassembling the-components of theimproved floor frameand simultaneously to develop prestressing forceswhich will considerably increase the rigidity and strength of theresulting frame structure; Otheriobjects will appear. Exemplaryembodiments ofthe invention willnow be described for purposes ofillustration but not of limitation with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG; l is a broken-away perspective view of an iItT- proved profiledsectional member used inthe invention; FIG. 2 is anexplodedperspective'view of part of a prefabricated floor frametogetherwith one of the supporting beams over whichthe frarneds tobefitted; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective viewof a cruciform joiningdevice used in assemblingand prestressing the square Tmesh components orcellsof the frame shown in FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section showingone manner in which acruciform joining andprestressing member accordingto the invention may be used;' .FIGpS is-a perspective viewof parrot;floor frame assembled on site in 'the'area surrounding a joint thereof,and also showsin explodedview upper and lower colurnn members as well asa cruciform joinin'gand prestressing devicey t X.

'1 FIG. 6.is a perspective View, broken away and partly exploded of partof acomplete floorstructure including panelfillingmeans. i In .theexemplaryuform shown in: FIG. j l a profiled sectionalmember whichconstitutes a basiccomponent of an improved floor frame according to theinventionis shown as including a web 21Whichin the normal erectedcondition of the member in a horizontal floor frame structure is cantedto the verticalplane. The Web 2 is formed with a-step shelf or. ledge 6extending longitudinally of it at an intermediate level somewhatnearerthe base than the top of the web. Longitudinally elongated slots 6a are"web and then upwardly to provide afold 5 defining a longitudin-algroove; the upper side of t the fold is extended back overtheupperuedgeof the web 2 in spaced relation with it and includes. aj bevelportion 2a followed by a flat horizontal portion 3. The fiat portion3-of the flange is in turn. followed by anL-shaped flange extension 3apro-r jecting fromthe rear or outer. face of theweb.

At its lower end below the. ledge 6 the web Zhas an inwardly projectingflatflange portion 4 which is extended by an inverted L-shapedforrnationa4a. .Holes 7 are formed at spaced points of web 2.

Itwillbenoted that the flat flange portions 3 and 4 which define theuppermostand lowermost planes of sectionalmember 1 formanglesgreaterthan90 with the plane of the canted Web 2, so asto lie in parallelplanes which are horizontal in the normal, erected condition of thememberL FIG.2 illustratesa floor framework constructed from lengths ofsectional members similar to the memberjust described. The frameworkcomprises a regular lattice work pattern ofelementary cells or meshelements ofrec tangular;preferably square, form. Each such cell suchas'ABCD ismade up from four lengths ofsectional mem bers eaclisimilartothe member 1 describedabove, cork nected at their endsiat welded mitrejoints; It will be seen that each square cellthus providedhas asectional areaas seen in plan whichta pers downfrom the top to thebottomof the cell owingto the canted positionof the webs Z'forming itssides. In otherwords eachsquare cell is generally in the form ofaninverted frustopyra mid. This provides for a convenient stacking of thecells in interfitted "relation to facilitate storage andtransportation,as well as other important functionsthatwill laterappear.The square cellsthus construct-ed arefiinterconnected through meanslaterdescribed to provide a complete floor framework suchras that"partlyshownih FIG. 2. When thus interconnected it Willbe seen that theresulting floor frame can be considered as including border or edgingjoists such as1q, 1b,each similar in shape to a single one ofthesectional membersl shownin FIG. 1, and intermediate joists such as 10,1d, 1e, the intermediate joists thusprovided each defineinvertedVs incross section,

The resulting: frame is thus adapted to be fitted over a correspondingsquare framework of beams, the beams having upwardly tapering crosssections generally corhplementary to theV-shaped recesses defined by thejoists such as-lb, 1c, 1d, whereupon the floor frame may be firmlysupported in position. FIG. 2illustrates one suchsupporting beam at9,underlying the border joist 1a of the floor -frame. The supportingbeam 9 is shown as being of generally trapezoidal boxshapedconfiguration with side ledges 10 adapted, e.g., to underlie the ledges6 of th sectional members comprising the border joist 1a.

:The square cells of the floor frame of FIG. 2 are preferablyinterconnected at the joints between *the'cells by means of joiningdevices such as the one shown in FIG. 3.

cruciform member 12having each of its four equal branches formed withside depressions in its upper surface and. bordered with upstanding lugsor flanges 12a which do :not quite extend to the junction betweenadjacent branches. :-Referring to FIG. 4it will be understood that 6aformed in theledges 6 of'therespective sectional memsurfaces of the fourjoists meeting at a node or joint of the lattice frame shown in FIG: 2with the flanges 12a of the cruciform member projecting upwardly throughslots hers I constitutingsaidjoists. t

"In the joining arrangement showni n-FIG. 4, the joining member 12isretainedinposition by means of a bolt 13 membersto be joined, and a nut14 which can be screwed sionthereto s s 1 s s j Returning to FIG. 3, thejoining arrangement there on to the lower end of the bolt to applysubstantial tenshown furtherin cludes an upper cruciform retainer member11 having each of its four branchces formed with downwardlyprojectingflanges 11a canted at an angle cor:

responding to that, of the webs 2. Theseflanges can be insertedintotheinner grooves defined by the folds 5 of the related joist"members meetingat the jointunder consideration.

Both cruciform members 11 and 12 are formed with central holes, the holein the upper member 11 preferably being square as shown. A bolt 13 isinsertable through the holes in both cruciform members and preferablyhas a square locking section just below its head as shown, engageable inthe square hole in upper member 11 so as to prevent relative rotationbetween the bolt and the member. A nut 14 is engageable over the lowerend of th bolt 13.

The resulting cruciform joining assembly as shown in FIG. 3 or 4 notonly provides a simple and convenient means of quickly interconnectingthe square cells into a lattice-like floor frame of the type shown inFIG. 2, but serves at the same time to prestress said frame at each nodeor joint thereof by simply applying a suitable screwing torque to thenut 14. Such a prestressing of the framework at each node thereof.greatly strengthens and rigidifies the resulting frame and thus makes itpossible substantially to reduce the gauge thickness of the componentsectional members 1 with respect to what would be necessary in theabsence of such prestressing means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, there is illustrated a node of afloor frame which may-be generally similar to the one shown in FIG. 2.It is here assumed however that a vertical column is to be assembled tothe node of the frame under consideration and is to extend upward anddownward therefrom. The column is shown as being composed of alignedupper and lower sections 18 and 20 which are generallytubular, and theupper section 18 is provided at its lower end with a centrallyperforate, flanged baseplate 18a. The lower column section 20 similarlyhas an upper end wall formed with a threaded hole 20a. The joiningdevice used in this case includes a lower cruciform member 12 similar tothe member 12 shown in FIG. 3 and similarly disposed. The uppercruciform member 11 of FIG. 3, however, is replaced with a cruciformmember 15 of modified shape. Each branch of the member 15 is providedwith side flanges of relatively long vertical extent canted at an anglecorresponding to that of the webs 2 in the joist members to be joinedand adapted to engage between such webs of the mutually opposed members1 constituting said joists. Lugs 15a project from the upper surfaces ofthe branches. Further, the cruciform member 15 is here provided at thecentral junction of its branches with an integral upwardly taperedfrustoconical bush 16.

, In this arrangement there is further provided an uppermost cruciformclamping member 17, the four branches of which have transverse notches17a formed in their under surfaces. The clamping member 17 is adapted tooverlie the joists of the node, and the lugs 15a projecting from themember 15 are adapted to pass through notches (not shown) provided inthe flange portion 3 of the joists adjacent a joint of the type beingdescribed, and to engage upwardly into the notches 17a of the clampingmember 17. A screw rod 19a provided with a frustoconical wedging block19 secured thereon is adapted at its lower end to pass through thecentral hole in lower cruciform member 12 and to engagethe threaded hole20a provided 'in the upper end of the lower column member 20.

With the wedging block 19 engaged in the complementaryfrustoconicalbushing 16, the upper end of screw rod 19a extends up through a centralhole in the upper cruciform clamping member 17 and is screwable into thethreaded hole provided in the baseplate 18a of the upper column member18.

If desired, there may here be additionally used a socketted shoe member171) formed with a suitable contour at its under surface so as to beclampable between the upper surface of one arm of the upper clampingmember 17 and the lower surface offiange plate 18a. 'The shoe member 17bhas a canted leg projecting upward from it and socketted as at 170 forconnection to the lower end of an angular brace member, not shown, whichmay be used for interconnecting under tension the frame node shown inFIG. 5 with another node, forming part of a different floor level andhorizontally displaced from the first. More than one shoe member such as17b may of course be provided where necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates how a complete floor including panel filling can beconstructed from a framework such as the one described with reference tothe previous figures' FIG. 6 shows parts of two intermediate joistmembers 1c, 12 interconnected at a node or joint of the frame.Underneath the joists is positioned a ceiling slab 21 of expandedconcrete or the like provided along each edge with a metallic supportingstrip 22 having hooking lugs 23 attached to it for engagement with thebottom flanges 4 of the members 1 so as to support the slab 21 inposition. Resting on the upper surfaces of the ledges 6 of the members 1is a slab 24 of expended concrete provided on its under surface with acoating of suitable sound'and heatisolating material 24a. The uppersla'b 24 is held in position by means of metal strips 25 insertedthrough the slots 7 in the webs 2 of the joist members and permanentlylocked in position by means of pins 25a. Overlying the slab 24 is a slab26 the edges of which are provided with a chamfer surface adapted tobear against the upper bevel portion 2a of a related joist member bywayof an interposed sealing strip 27. The corner of the slab 26 may becut away as at 26a so as to provide a recess facilitating handlingoperations. Overlying the slab 26 is a sound-and heat proofing plate '28capped in turn with a topmost facing panel 29 provided at its side edgesurfaces with lugs and slots for interengagement with correspondingslots and lugs of similar adjacent panels.

The floor described above with especial reference to FIG. 2 is intendedto be preferably prefabricated in a workshop. For this purposethesectional members constituting the edging joists and intermediatejoists are first cut to their predetermined equal lengths with theirends cut at an angle to provide the requisite mitre joints. The cutsections are then secured in a suitable jig to maintain them in positionwith their mitre-cut end surfaces in engagement and are welded to oneanother to provide the framework. A large number of such frameworks canin this way be quickly and economically assembled in sequence on asingle jig.

In accordance with one desirable embodiment of the invention, the cutsections are secured in groups of four in a square jig-which holds themin the proper relationship to provide the square cell or mesh elementsof the framework, and the four members in each group are welded to. oneanother at their ends. There may thus be provided a plurality ofidentical square cell elements, of the frustopyramidal form earlierdescribed, which can be interfitted into stacks for convenient storageand trans port to the building site. At the site the square cellelements may then be interassembled into the framework by means ofjoining devices similar to the one shown in FIG. 3.

Thus the flanges 12a of the lower cruciform member owing to theengagement of the square section under the head of the bolt in thesquare hole of member 11, and the nut 14 is screwed on to the lower endof the bolt. As earlier'explained tightening the nut on the boltsubjects the' fr'ame components to tension forces locally at the nodesor joints .ofthe frame, thereby stiffening the frame.

Frame'wofks of the type described above can be constructed in the shopto large over-all sizes, e.g., 5 meters to a side, and then transportedto the'building yard.

Transport is facilitated since a number of such frameworks can bestacked by interfitting the frustopyramidal cells so as to take upminimum space ou a lorry or other vehicle. The unitary weightof eachframeis relatively small since the section elements can be made "fromthin metal sheetfdue to the great irigidity imparted to the erectedframework by the prestressing or tensioning feature just described. r itThecrecting operations also 'aresimple andpractical to performi Theframework in its upright position shown in FIG, 2 is positioned so thatthe lowerflanges 4 of the border joist suchas 1a are supported on theledges of borderjbearns such as 9of thebuilding framework Ifdesiredfinterniediate joist such as 1d, le, mayalso be sirnilarlysnpported on intermediateibearns of the building, not shown, whichthenwou ld alsohavea suitable crosssection complementary to that of theinverted-V recessesdefined between the adjacent section members of saidintermediate joists. Flexible sealingstrips are preferably interposedbetweenthe rnatingfiange surfaces tefirnprove the seal,theloaddistribution and isolation. Flexible sealing strips may alsobeinterposed between the ni atlng fianges 3a of the adjacent sectionalmembers 1 constituting adjacent sides of the square cells; such stripsmay have longitudinal "groovesfittable about the longittidinal marginaledges of thefianges3a. r r

With the floor "framework thus erected the flooring is completed byplacingthe various filling' elements as illus tratedin FIG. 6 describedabove. Thus the sounde -and heatproofing slabs24 are inserted so as torest upon the upper surfaces of flan-ges 3.. The retainer. stripsareinserted through the siots 7 and a relocked to the joist structnreeach b y meansjof the pins 25:; positioned inside and outside thejoist.Itwill be noted that the slots7are positioned substantially at thecorners of each s quare cell. This distribution of the retainer slotsand strips prevents disen gagements of a slab 24. from the cavityin whichfit is received even if theslab is inclined along a diagonal of thesquare cell. In fact when the slab 24 is i n position the pins 254prevent removal of the strip 25 from above or below the floor structure,so that unauthorized access between adjacent floors of abuilding is prevented. Thetop slabs 26.maythenbe placed in positionfollowed by the facing panels or tiles 28 and 29. It will be noted thatthe slabs 26 are not in engagement with the strips 25 but, owing tothe't-aper of the laterally projecting flanges of the slabs, engage. thecorrespondingly tapered upper portions of thejoist members. Thus theover-all rigidity and strength of the complete floor structure includingboth themetallic structural frame and the filling and coveringmeansassociated with it are considerably. increased, Ifrequi red, the ceilingslabs 21 are placed with their lugs 23 engagingthe lower side flanges 4of thejoists. r r r ,The sound-and heat isolating characteristics of theresulting fiooring are very high. The grooves defined by thematingflange portions 3a in the tops of the profiled joist rnembers 1,and which run continuously the length of the frame as will be seen fromFIG. 2, provideacon venient means ofl-aying conduits for thefiowofwater, gas andelectricycurrent. The entire floor structure can bedismantled if required and its elements reused elsewhere. As analternative to the method of. construction and erectionde'scribedwithreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method shown in FIG/5 anddescribedfabove can be used, this method being especially designed fordirect con struction on the building site starting with individuallengths of profiled sectional members 1 not previously assembled withone another. In this case the cut lengths of sectional members 1 may bepositioned in symmetrical pairs with the free longitudinal edges oftheir respective upper flanges Sain mating engagement and the matingedge surfaces maythen be welded together if necessary. There are thusprovided the inverted-V shaped intermedi ate joistrnembers of the frame.Alternatively, aslater described, such intermediate joist members may bedireetly provided in the form of inverted-V section members eachcorresponding inshape toa pair of members such as 1 (FIG. 1) integrallyconnected along the margins of theirflanges 3 a. I Q Four inverted- Vjoist memberswhich are to meet at the node of the frame underconsideration are positioned in the cross-like relationship shown inFIG.Sand their inner ends are fitted around the respective four arms of theupper crticiformmen1ber 15, earlier described, so that the" lugs 15aprojectthrough slotsj.(notlshown) in the upper flanges3and intothenotches 17a ofthe over} lying clamping cruciform member-J17. Theinner ends of the four joist memlberswill thus be clamped firrnlybetween the cruciform members 15. and l7 when the Wedge block .19 hasbeen inserted into sleeve and thie screw rod 19a screwed into thethreaded endholes in the respective columnmembersl il, 20; It willbeunderstood that]the joining meansjust described and shown inFlG. 5 arense d at an inner node of the lattice framework iJe. at theinterconnection between four intermediate joists. Atfthe interconnectionof an intermediate joistwith a border j oistat aside of the frame,similar joining rneans would be'used exc'ent that one of the four armsofeach of thecruciforni rne nbers such as 12, 15 and 17 woilldbe'frnis's'ing; in other Words the corresponding members w ould then beT; shaped ratherthan cruciform. Similarly the co rner".join ingde'vic esfor assembling two border joistsiwould again be generally similar eceptthatfthsywbuld n ktwe adjacent arms, and would'hence .be L-shaped.Sirnila r statements apply to the jeining device illustrated in Thejoining arrangement shown in :FIG. 5 will serve to apply local tensionstressto the nodes'of the framework in a manner similar to what wasdescribed with reference to the joining device of FI GQB 'In'additionhowever, it will noticedthat the joining arrangernent of FIG.5 can serveto interconnect under tension and hence in rigid prestressedrelationship not only the inter} secting joist members "of the floor"frame but also tl ie vertical columns 1820 and, where ne cessary, ;diagonal cross bracingmembcrs or ties such as earlier described as beingconnected to the node by wayof shoe members such as 1712. n willbee/idem that such a anneale node will provide for an extremelyeflicient distribution and transfer of the loadf orces of the strncturalframe in all directions"extendingtofand from such a node; and therebyincrease the strength of the strticturaljframeas The arrangement shownin FIG, Sfurt he r differs from that described with referencetoFIGSZjand in th t the floo rframe is shewnin FIG. 5 as being supportedcolumns whereas the floor frame in F IGQZ is "primarily designed'tobesupported on beamssuch as 9 over which the inverted-V section joists maybe .fitted as earliendescribed. It, shouldfbe understood however thatthe at-I rangements snewnji IGS. 2-3 on the onejhand and'in FIG. 5 onthe other, possess features which ar largely interchangeable accordingto re quirementsh, Thus jafjoin ing device sirnilarto the one showninrro. sfandincluding acentral frustoconical bush such as 16 may be usedin conjunction with the floor frarne, structnre of FIG. 2insituationsnwhere columnsmay be desirable 1 Conversely, referring to 'thestructureshown in FIG, 5:,- at points where no enum at to: beprovided, the joining device niay be. modified to resemble the joiningdevice of FIG. 4 with the sleeve 16 omitted and a simple bolt and nutarrangement substituted for the screw-rod and wedging bloc]; arrangement19 190., It will also be understoodthat the panel filling means shown inFIG. 6 is applicable indiscriminately t .either the floor structureshownin FIGS. 2-3 or to that shown.

;The erection.of the floor frame structures especially as des cribedwith reference to FIG QS need not involve welding operations on site,The structural members can thus readily be provided with suitablecorrosion protesting coatings in the manufacturing plant. Moreover, thestructures can be dismantled in whole or in part and reused elsewhere,or they may be retained in place and reassembled according to somedifferent pattern. Thus edging joists of the structure may at any timebe removed together with the'relatedincomplete (T- or L- shaped) joiningdevices. 'These latter can then be replaced with complete four-armedcruciform joining devices and additional joist can thereupon be mountedin order to extend the flooring in the requisite direction.

It will be noted that in the complete floor structure shown in FIG. 6the various slabs and panels are not stacked on top of one another butare supported in spaced superimposed relationship through the meansdescribed, thereby improving the strength of the assembly. The spacesdefined between the superimposed elements can be used to house conduitsand the like which may be passed from one space to another by way of theopenings such as 7 in the webs ofthe members.

It will be clear that various changes may be introduced into thestructures shown and described without exceeding the scope of theinvention.

One modification that is expressly contemplated and was brieflymentioned above, is to provide the intermediate joist members, e.g., inthe floor structure shown in FIG.. 5, in the form of a complete,inverted-V section member similar in shape to .a pair of symmetricallyar= ranged sectional members such as 1 (FIG. .1) disposed symmetricallyand with their upper flanges 3a integrally connected. Such anarrangement is especially desirable because it eliminates on-sitewelding operations and is economical also for the following reasons.

A sectional member such. as 1 (FIG. 1) can be conyeniently manufacturedby means of a shaping bench using appropriate contoured rollers to formthe flanges and other features of the contour of the member 1. In theinterests of a better balancing of the high pressure forces developed onsuch a shaping bench it is desirable to provide two symmetrical sets ofsuch rollers and to shape simultaneously two similar and symmetricalsectional members such as 1 from a common metal strip having twice therequisite width corresponding to one such member.

.Thus such a method of manufacture will per se provide the dual orinverted-V section members referred to above and illustrated in FIG. 5.On completion of the shaping process, a majority of the resultingmembers may then be retained unchanged to provide intermediate joistmembers, while some of said members may be cut in half alongtheir matingflange portions in order to provide the'single sectional members similarto 1 (FIG. 1), required for the edging joists of the floor frame.

The precise contour of the sectional member as here disclosed may bealtered in various ways without exceeding the scope of the invention.Thus, the folded-over portion 5 may be omitted and the upper flange 3directly connected to the upper edge of web 2. Conversely, an additionalfold similar to fold 5 but in inverted relation to it may be provided as.a substitute for the shelf 6 at the lower part of the member.

Floorstructures constructed according to the invention may have manyuses, especially as floors for large buildings,warehouses and workshopssince they are capable of supporting very high loads, such as industrialtrucks and other handling and hoisting equipment.

What I claim is:

1. A sectional member for use in floor structure comprising twooppositely canted webs diverging in a downward direction, upper flangeportions extending towards each other from the tops of said webs andintegrally interconnected at the marginal edges, lower flange portionsextending away from each other from the bottom of said webs, said upperand lower flange portions including integral extensions respectively inthe form of an upright and an inverted L, and means intermediate thevertical extent of each said web for longitudinally supporting a relatededge of a filling panel.

2. A sectional member as defined in claim 1 wherein said supportingmeans comprises a ledge formation extending longitudinally of each saidweb.

3. A floor structure comprising an array of juxtaposed rectangular,e.g., square, cells wherein the sides of said cells are provided bysectional members having a cross sectional contour shaped to impart tothe inner spaces defined by each cell a cross section in the generalform of an inverted frusto-pyramid adapted to support filling panelmeans therein, and means joining the adjacent cells into a rigid latticeframe structure, said joining means comprising joining members disposedat each joint between at least two cell sides, each member havingorthogonal radial arms equal in number to the number of cell sidesmeeting at said joint, means on said arms engageable with the sec tionalmembers constituting said meeting cell sides, and screw threaded meansengageable with said joining member and tensionable to apply the joiningmember under pressure against said section members so as to subject thesectional members meeting at said joint to a vertical com pressionstress between the top and bottom thereof, said sectional members havingcanted web portions formed with longitudinal ledges intermediate theirvertical extent, and said joining members being engaged with the undersurfaces of said ledges of the sectional members meeting at said jointand having upwardly directed projections engaged with said perforationsin the ledges.

4. A floor structure comprising an array of juxtaposed rectangular,e.g., square, cells wherein the sides of said cells are provided bysectional members having a cross sectional contour shaped to impart tothe inner spaces defined by each cell a cross section in the generalform of an inverted frusto-pyrarnid adapted to support filling panelmeans therein, and means joining the adjacent cells into a rigid latticeframe structure, said joining means comprisv ing joining membersdisposed at each joint between at least two cell sides, each memberhaving'orthogonal radial arms equal in number to the number of cellsides meeting at said joint, means on said arms engageable with thesectional members constituting said meeting cell sides, and screwthreaded means engageable with said joining member and tensionable toapply the joining member under pressure against said section members soas to subject the sectional members meeting at said joint to a verticalcompression stress between the top and bottom thereof, each joiningmeans'including a lower joining member and an upper joining memberrespectively engageable with lower and upper surfaces of said sectionalmembers and said screw threaded means comprising a screw rodengageablewith-both joining members and tensionable to draw themvertically toward each other, said sectional members having canted webportions formed with longitudinal ledges intermediate their verticalextent and inwardly directed upper flange portions defining groovesextending longitudinally of said web portions above said ledges therein,and said lower joining members being engaged with the under surfaces ofsaid ledges of the sectional members meeting at said joint and saidupper joining members having their arms seatable in said grooves.

5. A floor structure comprising an array of juxtaposed rectangular,e.g., square, cells wherein the sides of said cells are provided bysectional members having a cross sectional contour shaped to impart tothe inner spaces defined by each cell a cross section in the generalform of an inverted frusto-pyramid adapted to support filling panelmeans therein, and means joining the adjacent cells into a rigid latticeframe structure, said joining means comprising joining members disposedat each joint between at least two cell sides, each member havingorthogonal radial arms equal in number to the number of cell sidesmeeting at said joint, means on said arms engageable with the sectionalmembers constituting said meeting cell sides, and screw threaded meansengageable with said joining member and tensionable to apply the joiningmember under pressure against said section members so as to subject thesectional members meeting at said joint to a vertical compression stressbetween the top and bottom thereof, said joining means being providedwith means connecting vertically aligned upper and lower column sectionswith said sectional members at said joint and said threaded means beingengageable with said upper and lower column sections to tension theminto load-transmitting relationship with each other and with saidsectional members meeting at said joint.

6. A floor structure comprising an array of juxtaposed rectangular,e.g., square, cells wherein the sides of said cells are provided bysectional members having a cross sectional contour shaped to impart tothe inner spaces defined by each cell a cross section in the generalform of an inverted frusto-pyramid adapted to support filling panelmeans therein, and means joining the adjacent cells into a rigid latticeframe structure, said joining means comprising joining members disposedat each joint between at least two cell sides, each member havingorthogonal radial arms equal in number to the number of cell sidesmeeting at said joint, means on said arms engageable with the sectionalmembers constituting said meeting cell sides, and screw threaded meansengageable with said joining member and tensionable to apply the joiningmember under pressure against said section members so as to subject thesectional members meeting at said joint to a vertical compression stressbetween the top and bottom thereof, said sectional members having cantedWeb portions formed with longitudinal ledges intermediate their verticalextent, and said joining members being engaged with the under surfacesof said ledges of the sectional members meeting at said joint and havingupwardly directed projections engaged with said perforations in theledges, each joining means including a lower joining member and an upperjoining members respectively engageable with lower and upper surfaces ofsaid sectional members and said screw threaded means comprising a screwr-od engageable with both joining members and tensionable to draw themvertically toward each other, said joining means being provided withmeans connecting vertically aligned upper and lower column sections withsaid sectional members at said joint and said upper joining memberhaving an upwardly tapered frusto-conical bush disposed centrallythereof and said screw rod having a complementary frusto-conical wedgingblock secured thereto and seatable in said bush, and said columnsections having threaded holes at their adjacent ends engageable by theopposite ends of said screw rod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,336 11/1900Dyarman 9226 X 1,818,014 8/1931 Snaman 94-3 2,776,735 1/1957 Bancroft189-36 3,185,833 5/1965 Blitzer 240-9 3,203,150 8/ 1965 Serneblad 52-6643,219,810 11/1965 Hickman 2409 FOREIGN PATENTS 1 262,768 2/ 1929 Italy.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SECTIONAL MEMBER FOR USE IN FLOOR STRUCTURE COMPRISING TWOOPPOSITELY CANTED WEBS DIVERGING IN A DOWNWARD DIRECTION, UPPER FLANGEPORTIONS EXTENDING TOWARDS EACH OTHER FROM THE TOPS OF SAID WEBS ANDINTEGRALLY INTERCONNECTED AT THE MARGINAL EDGES, LOWER FLANGES PORTIONSEXTENDING AWAY FROM EACH OTHER FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID WEBS, SAID UPPERAND LOWER FLANGE PORTIONS INCLUDING INTEGRAL EXTENSIONS RESPECTIVELY INTHE FORM OF AN UPRIGHT AND AN INVERTED L, AND MEANS INTERMEDIATE THEVERTICAL EXTENT OF EACH SAID WEB FOR LONGITUDINALLY SUPPORTING A RELATEDEDGE OF A FILLING PANEL.